White Cities of Puglia 9714

We depart from London to Bari. On arrival we transfer to our hotel accommodation, where a welcome dinner is included this evening

Today we will explore Lecce, a highly attractive town characterised by the warm pink of the local sandstone, so easy to work with that it fostered the rise of a local style (barocco leccese). Rather than the architects, it was the local stonemasons who left their mark on the city, crowding its buildings with ornate and intricate stonework: fanciful cherubs, monsters, flowers, fruits, beauties and beasts. We will meet our local guide at the hotel for a half day guided walking tour of the city, during which we will see many of these fine buildings and visit one in particular, the Basilica de Sante Croce (Cathedral of the Holy Cross). The church has a richly decorated façade, with six smooth columns supporting an entablature with animals, grotesque figures and vegetables. The Basilica also boasts a large rose window. The main portal has a pair of Corinthian columns and the coats of arms of Philip III of Spain, Mary of Enghien and Walter VI of Brienne. Further visits include the Piazza del Duomo & the Roman Amphitheatre. This evening dinner is included at the hotel.
 

This morning after breakfast we head to the ‘Beautiful city’ Gallipoli – a name this town certainly lives up to. We are joined by a local guide for a walking tour of the historic centre which is surrounded by fortified walls and is accessed by a bridge. Here we can explore the narrow laneways home to local gastronomy businesses and craft shops.
This afternoon we embark on a captivating tour of Santa Maria di Leuca, where the turquoise waters, dramatic cliffs, and charming coastal villages combine to create an enchanting Mediterranean experience. Santa Maria di Leuca is nestled at the southernmost tip of Italy’s heel and holds a captivating imaginative significance as it marks the poetic culmination of the country, where the Adriatic and Ionian Seas merge, offering a breathtaking setting for exploration and contemplation.

Today we visit “La Cutura” Botanical Garden, an old country estate built in the classic rural style of the late 19th century. Today the renowned botanical garden extends for 35 hectares and houses a rich collection of rare plants: succulents and tropicals. A paradise born of stone (Cutura – from “cute”, a dialectal synonym of stone), unique in Italy, rich in flora, a place of knowledge and recreation, where pleasure and nature blend in perfect harmony, in a triumph of scents and colours.
In the early afternoon we enjoy a peaceful walk through the charming centre of Otranto with our local guide. We learn about the coastal town’s history and take in the beautiful landscape surrounding Otranto. We head to Santa Maria Annunziata Cathedral, a living monument to the enduring spirit of the people of Otranto and a beacon of hope and inspiration for all who visit. Later we enjoy a relaxed walk at Orte bay and bauxite caves.

This morning, we leave Lecce and head to Matera, the Sassi town, famous for movies like “The Passion of Christ” and the James Bond film ‘’No Time to Die”. The UNESCO World Heritage-listed rock city of Matera stretches over a steep cliff. We have some free time to wander through the streets of the historic Sasso Caveoso neighbourhood to admire the churches and public squares and don’t forget to snap some photos of the famous cave houses and views of the surrounding valley as you go. Later this afternoon we head to our hotel in the town of Alberobello and this evening we will enjoy dinner in a traditional local restaurant.
 

Today after breakfast, we embark on a guided tour of the town of Alberobello to see some of the trullo houses, the cylindrical, whitewashed buildings with grey conical roofs, often joined together in a random, organic manner, that are unique to this part of Italy. In the Monti district there are 1030 trulli, which are among the oldest buildings, still preserving the original features of construction. There are many theories behind the origin of the design. One of the more popular is that due to high taxation on property the people of Puglia created dry wall constructions so that they could be dismantled when inspectors were in the area. The walls are very thick, providing a cool environment in hot weather and insulating against the cold in the winter. The vast majority of trulli have one room under each conical roof; a multi-roomed trullo house has many cones representing a room each, interconnected by passages. Children would sleep in alcoves made in the wall with curtains hung in front. Our local guide will explain the history and construction methods that have been used for countless generations.
In the afternoon we leave for Cisternino to visit an oil mill learning the secrets of olive harvest, olive pressing and olive oil production. The experience ends with olive oil tasting in a very authentic Pugliese environment. Following this, we then head to Castellana Caves for a guided tour of the caves which are hidden beneath the sun-drenched landscapes of Puglia. The mesmerising Castellana Caves are a subterranean wonderland of awe-inspiring beauty and geological marvels. Carved over millions of years by the forces of nature, these vast underground chambers and labyrinthine passages invite visitors on a journey into the heart of the Earth. Descending into the depths of the Castellana Caves, visitors are greeted by a world of stunning natural formations—stalactites, stalagmites, and delicate crystalline structures that shimmer in the soft glow of underground streams and cavernous chambers.

Today we visit Taranto, one of the largest towns of Puglia, where we enjoy a guided walking tour. Taranto is famous for having 2 seas, the Mar Piccolo and Mar Grande which are separated by a revolving bridge. Visit the Aragonese castle, the Greek colony in the Ancient Village and the New Town. A visit to the National Archaeological Museum is included where we can view one of the largest collections of artifacts from the Magna Graecia. Indeed, Taranto was one of the biggest cities of the Greek Empire dating back some 3500 years.
 

After breakfast we leave Alberobello and head to Bari. We explore the city on foot with a local tour guide visiting the most beautiful spots and learn all the city’s stories and secrets. Starting with a walk around Bari’s Old Town, the tour introduces you to standout sights such as the Basilica of St. Nicholas with its sacred crypt, the San Sabino Cathedral and the beautiful squares facing the Adriatic Sea. A stop in the orecchiette street will make your day as we see the locals hand-crafting this regional pasta speciality.
This afternoon we visit Castello Svevo. Perched majestically on the edge of the sparkling Adriatic Sea, it stands as a timeless sentinel, bearing witness to centuries of history and intrigue. This imposing fortress, with its sturdy stone walls and formidable towers, commands attention and admiration from all who behold it, offering a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Bari’s past.
Later in the afternoon we transfer to the airport for our return flight to London.